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Dismissed Rutgers QB Philip Nelson, second assault suspect appear to have attended same high school

Former Rutgers and Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson leaves the Blue Earth County (Minn.) jail with a towel on his head after posting $20,000 bail in his assault case. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Richard Tsong-Taatarii)

Philip Nelson, who was dismissed Tuesday from the Rutgers football team, and the second suspect arrested in the same assault case both went to Mankato West High School, according to biographical information on the two.

Shelley is alleged to having delivered a blow that sent victim Isaac Kolstad’s limp body to the pavement, according to a criminal complaint. Nelson is accused of kicking the defenseless Kolstad in the head at least once.

Nelson told police he and his girlfriend did not know the second assailant as police searched for him, seeking the public’s help. It remains possible that the two do not know each other.

Nelson, 20, is a 2012 graduate of Mankato West High School. The 21-year-old Shelley’s Facebook page lists him as a Mankato West alum from St. Peter, Minn. who is now living in Denver.

They were not teammates on Mankato’s football, basketball or baseball teams, according to a review of the 2010-11 rosters posted on MaxPreps.com

Kolstad, who is in critical condition, underwent surgery Tuesday morning, according to his father’s latest post on CaringBridge.org.

“Isaac had surgery early this morning,” the post reads. “It went well. Isaac remains in critical condition. Please keep Isaac and all involved in your prayers.”

Kolstad suffered severe injuries consisting of bleeding of the brain, skull fracture, brain swelling, brain shifting, and deterioration of lungs from lack of oxygen, according to a doctor cited in the criminal complaint.

About Ryan Dunleavy

Ryan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.

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